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Thursday, April 28, 2011

Next week is Teacher Appreciation Week. I have been seeing so many awesome craft ideas but there was one idea I have had in my head for a while. I just needed *someone* to (finally) take a good nap so I could work on it!

This is ridiculously fast and easy to make.

Printable Sticky Note Pad Holder -- Teacher Appreciation Style!

Supplies needed:

- cardstock

- sticky note pad 3"x3" and 50 sheets thick

- Velcro circles

- Glue

- Scissors

Step 1: Print off FREE design on cardstock.

Click on image. Then drag and drop to your desktop or "save as" to your computer. Be sure it saves as a .jpg file.

Step 2: Cut out.

Step 3: Fold along thin grey lines.

I know there is a scrapbooking tool for this, but I don't scrapbook. I just used a ruler and the edge of my table to make the fold, then used my thumbnail to get it crisp.

Step 4: Peel the backing off the sticky note pad.

Step 5: Position the sticky note pad in the holder.

Align the top of the pad with the fold line, then adjust your folds at the bottom if needed.

Step 6: Attach Velcro circles with glue. Let dry completely.

Scratchy side on the small flap. Soft side inside the front cover flap.

I know. That was fast!

So fast you could make them for the entire teaching staff...

OR,

just check "Teacher Appreciation- small gift" off your To Do List and move on!

Hope you liked this easy idea. Not fancy graphics, I know. I had one nap time (1 1/2 hrs, a record nap these days) to make the design. Just simple in PSE.

Monday, April 25, 2011

Did you get your free "Earth Day" coffee at Starbucks last Friday? I got two. From two different stores. Iced.

The weather this weekend was not the greatest. It was the rainiest Easter I could ever remember, actually.

But Friday evening the weather just east of here was getting some really bad thunderstorms and tornado threats. Just after getting the kids in bed I noticed that there was a bright orangey-yellow light outside. All over. Then the inside of our house had a strange yellow glow. This light was turning my house yellow. I went out to investigate.

I swear, I did not do any editing on the photos. This is really how it looked outside. A few minutes later it was less yellow but do you see those streams of clouds? That is the cold front colliding with the warm front. This was the back of the dangerous storm system as it moved east.

But seriously, doesn't it look like an alien ship should be parked in the middle of my street!? Eery sky.

This next shot is what I saw when I looked straight up over my house.Seriously creepy.

Thursday, April 21, 2011

Not sure what it is, but I am not feeling very crafty or inspired this week.

I was thinking it could be a combination of things:

1. I am not really into the Easter crafts. I don't like Peeps or jelly beans and my kids are not coloring eggs because it will be a mess and we won't eat them later.

2. My house is a mess, so before I can plan any redecorating, I need to tidy up.

3. First priority is our broken down fence in the backyard. Our backyard neighbor has a junkyard dog that scares the crap out of my kids (and me!) so no one is allowed back there until the fence is secure.

4. We have been busy every evening until I am so tired I can't keep my eyelids open.

but most of all...

5. My youngest dear child had been the crappiest napper lately. He has cut his afternoon nap down to 50 min, from 2 1/2 hours. I can't get anything done in 50 min. I'm dyin' here. (And yes he still needs the nap.)

So I thought maybe I would highlight a couple of items on my "Craft Bucket List" for you today.

I think I can handle #7, the Peasant Top from Obsessively Stitching. I just bought a top similar to this one at Target for $9. I hope I make this one soon. It will be my go-to top this summer.

And maybe even #13, the Homemade Ice Cream containers from Homemade by Jill. This one really just requires me to order the containers. I have the ice cream maker. Two, actually. Long story. But we have been making and eating homemade vanilla ice cream lately. I think we are ready to change it up with some add-ins. I am thinking brownies pieces or Peeps...HA, just kidding.

Sunday, April 17, 2011

So maybe someone has noticed that I can't decide on a font or font size for my blog. And maybe someone has noticed that I am not consistent with the size of my photos. And even maybe someone has noticed that my blog is a bit empty on the sidebars. Or maybe not.

But I am working out my blog and trying to find the right look for me. So here are some things that are on my Blog Design To Do List. Because if you don't know anything else about me, you need to know I am a list person. No, make that a list junkie.

1. Consider a new header. I made the current one. Just in Photoshop. I like it, but it is pretty basic-looking.

2. I need a picture of me. We don't have any recent or flattering ones.

3. Organize my side bars. I feel like the widths are off.

4. I would like to make a button for my Craft Bucket List.

5. I also need to add a tag line in my header.

6. Figure out the body font.

7. Get a grip on my photo sizes!

8. Add a signature to my posts.

So all issues that I am aware of, and will be working out. I have done all the html editing on this blog (not like it is anything fantastic!) but I enjoy learning it.

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

sewing table -- kitchen island full of crap -- this is a very old picture, but still a mess

I saw this post last week on Skip to My Lou titled, "Are You Struggling?" I really just wanted to laugh...seriously? Am.I.Struggling? Hmmm. I feel like I have been struggling since I had my third child! And that was almost 2yrs ago. But the post was really about signing up for a contest where Kenmore wanted to know what we are struggling with around our homes. OH. So Kenmore is going to invent a time machine for me that also cleans and makes my kids get along with each other! Yeah! I don't really think so.

But I will say that ever since we bought the worlds biggest washer and dryer two years ago, Laundry has not been my struggle. Now since we do have a humungo washer, I have a tendency to let the dirty clothes pile up pretty badly. (Like I am completely out of white socks at the moment.) But we get it done one mountain at a time. Best ridiculously expensive thing we have purchased, maybe ever.

Dinners are my only one other chore that does not overwhelm me anymore. My trick? I write down our dinner menu week by week- sometimes two weeks at a time. I used to just make a list of dinner "possibilities," meaning I had the groceries to make it on hand. But this failed big time. Inevitably I would forget to thaw some key element of the meal (like the chicken). So now, before I make my grocery list, I write out my dinner menu list. I plan quick meals for soccer nights and easy meals when my husband will be home late. My other "trick" is I double (or triple) recipes then freeze the extras. For instance, it is no more difficult to make large batches of soups, pancakes, sauces, enchiladas, or taco meat as it is to make one family-sized serving. This is my lifesaver.

Something else, I will have to ask my friend if she would review her floor-cleaning robot for us. Seriously? A house-cleaning robot? Yes, she has it. Yes, I might want it.

I was thinking of sharing some of these "multiply and freeze" recipes with you. Would you be interested? Leave me a comment and let me know! Um, please.

Monday, April 11, 2011

I just can't get enough of these fabric flowers! I have been making many of these lovelies lately and wanted to share my tips on how to get very good quality results.

Tip #1: Know your glue!
Your best bets are hot glue or fabric glue, such as Fabri-Tac.
Know how long it takes to dry/stick, how fast it comes out, strength, etc.

Tip #2: Practice your twist and roll.
I like to "warm-up" before I start making these flowers. Each fabric type and size will behave differently. The way you twist will determine the look of the flower. By practicing, you can get an idea of what your flower is going to look like before you glue.
See what I mean...

Same amount of fabric...different rolling methods.

Tip #3: Hide your glue = Glue from the back.

Use tiny dabs of glue and a sweeping motion toward the back of your flower. This keeps your glue strings in the back. And dot just enough to get your fabric to stay as your build your flower. You will reinforce it when you are done.

Tip #4: For the felt backing, glue in one spot first.

Position your felt circle on the back where you want it to be glued. Since these flowers are not perfectly circular, your felt should mimic the shape of your flower. Hold the felt in place with your thumb and glue one side down with a dot of hot glue. Now your felt circle doesn't shift out of place and the messy back is covered. Then when that is dry, glue-like-crazy the rest. Also, instead of gluing to felt as I go, I start with a knot and roll my fabric around the knot until I get the flower going. Then I cut the "tail" off my knot when it gets in my way.

Tip #5: When you're done go back and glue some more.

Peel the layers (like you are flipping book pages) and find your weak spots that need a dab of glue. When you find a spot that needs glue, peel it open so you can get your glue nozzle way in there. Squeeze it in and get out of there with a clean sweep.

I prefer to use the Fabri-Tac as I roll then I follow up with the hot glue for the final gluing and back. Though I don't always do that. The only reason is that I am impatient and I hate burning my fingers : )

Leave me a comment...was this helpful? Did I miss something?

I am addicted to making these, you know. So the faster I can make them, the better !

Sunday, April 3, 2011

Since I am super lame-o and do not know how to make a wreath (or anything cutesie to put on my front door) I have this.

Yes. I put the fate of my front door decor in my children's hands. Am I crazy or lazy! Ha!

It all started in February...I bought a pack of heart-shaped foam hearts for my kids to craft with. Then I drew a blank on what do DO with them. Uh..and...nothin.

I taught them how to use "real" glitter (opposed to glitter glue which they lu-huv!) Then I just had a stack of glittered foam shapes and still no ideas.

Then I came up with this:

So now we have this:

Now, all the world (or maybe just the neighborhood) can see some "fridge-worthy" crafts that my kids made. I realize this is not for everyone, but I like it. I get to show off my kids' artwork in another place- in addition to their art gallery on my fridge!

Do you need to know how I made them? Seriously? Decorate the foam shapes. Glue ribbon to the backs.

When they are dry, attach ribbon to the top of your door with a flat thumbtack. Genius, I know.

Friday, April 1, 2011

After the kids went to bed last night, I made this apron and oven mitt. Stella's class is making a "Made in Oklahoma" basket for the school's upcoming spring auction. For whatever reason, I have (had) no ideas of what things are made in Oklahoma. But the basket soon filled up with paper towels, syrup, corn muffin mix, and beef jerky. OK. So I could hit the grocery store or I could find something handmade by a local crafter.

Last week, I went to this shopping market because I thought that is what they sold- handmade items. But just about everything was handmade in China. Which is fine. But I needed "Oklahoma." So my options were: drive around town searching or just hit Hobby Lobby and whip up something myself. And OH do I love how the fabric at HobLob coordinates itself. (=no thinking for me!)

For the oven mitt, I used this tutorial here at Skip to My Lou. But for the apron, I just winged it. I did refer to my apron tutorial for the sash dimensions.

Now, I am not sure if this will qualify as "made in Oklahoma" but I will donate it anyway.

What do you think- does this qualify for Made in OK? What other items should I make next time we have an auction?

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About Me

Hi there! I'm Kate- a wife and mom of three energetic kids! Thanks so much for stopping by my little blog- it is a thrill for me that you are even here! I love DIY, sewing, crafting. Craft Whatever is my spot to share any of these attempts with you! Don't forget to leave a comment so I can say hi back!

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